Sterile transfer of fluid

ABSTRACT

A syringe rack securable to a surface of a fixture and configured for facilitating a sterile transfer of fluid from a non-sterile environment to a sterile environment. The syringe rack includes a securing portion and a syringe-receiving station. The syringe-receiving portion is coupled to the securing portion and configured to receive the syringe in a selectively releasable coupling arrangement where the syringe is oriented such that an opening in a barrel of a syringe projects away from the fixture when the syringe is received by the syringe-receiving station and when the securing portion is secured to the surface of the fixture.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims benefit ofpriority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/927,722 filed Mar. 21,2018 and entitled “Sterile Transfer of Fluids,” which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/776,868, filed on Sep. 15, 2015and entitled “Sterile Transfer of Fluids,” which is a National Stageapplication of International Patent Corporation Treaty PatentApplication No. PCT/US2014/026519, filed Mar. 13, 2014 and entitled“Sterile Transfer of Fluids,” all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety into the present application.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/790,331, which was filed Mar. 15,2013, entitled “Sterile Transfer of Fluid,” and is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety into the present application.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/866,346, which was filed Aug. 15,2013, entitled “Sterile Transfer of Fluid,” and is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety into the present application.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/921,854, which was filed Dec. 30,2013, entitled “Sterile Transfer of Fluid,” and is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a sterile transfer of fluid,and, more particularly, involve a syringe rack facilitating a steriletransfer of fluid.

BACKGROUND

Currently in the medical field, both in the emergency department and inthe operating room, many medical personnel place themselves in harm'sway in transferring a fluid (e.g., medicine) from a non-sterileenvironment to a sterile environment. Medical personnel conventionallyutilize one the following options for transferring fluid.

One process for transferring fluid involves a non-sterile medicalindividual (e.g., a nurse) holding a medical vial for a sterile medicalindividual (e.g., a surgical assistant or technician) to attempt tothread a needle into the vial to extract the fluid into a syringe. Thisprocess often involves a significant risk of a parental stick. Further,this process increases the time spent away from various tasks, such asaiding in the surgical procedure. Additionally, this process increasesthe risk of contaminating the sterile environment (e.g., an operatingtable, sterile personnel, sterile equipment and tools, etc.), andincreases the exposure time for the patient, which may increase, forexample, the risk of infection.

Another process similarly involves a significant risk of parental stick.The second process involves the non-sterile individual extracting thefluid from the vial into a first syringe. The non-sterile individualthen attempts to transfer the fluid from the first syringe into a secondsyringe held by the sterile individual by threading the needle of thefirst syringe through a small opening in the second syringe. Thisprocess often results in contamination of the sterile individual due toa parental stick. Further, this process increases time away from varioustasks to re-sterilize, and increases the exposure time for the patient,which may increase, for example, the risk of infection.

Yet another process involves the non-sterile individual extracting thefluid into a syringe and inserting into a sterile glass from which thefluid may be extracted for use in the sterile environment. This processoften results in contamination while transferring the fluid from thesyringe to the glass. Further, there is a significant risk of the glassspilling, which may be detrimental to a patient who then has to waitlonger for needed medication.

It is with these observations in mind, among others, that variousaspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems,among others, by providing a medical rack for fast and easy transfer offluid from a non-sterile environment to a sterile environment.

Disclosed herein is a medical rack securable to a surface of a fixtureand configured for transferring fluid from a non-sterile environment toa sterile environment that includes a syringe having a tab extendingradially from a barrel of the syringe, an opening at a distal end of thebarrel, and a plunger extending from a proximal end of the barrel.

In one embodiment, the medical rack includes a securing portion and asyringe-receiving station. The securing portion is configured forselectively releasable securing to the surface of the fixture. Thesyringe-receiving station is coupled to the securing portion andconfigured to receive the syringe in a selectively releasable couplingarrangement where the syringe is oriented such that the opening projectsaway from the fixture when the syringe is received by thesyringe-receiving station and the securing portion is secured to thesurface of the fixture.

In one version of the embodiment, the medical rack is be so configuredsuch that the plunger can be proximally extended without contacting thefixture when the syringe is received by the syringe-receiving stationand the securing portion is secured to the surface of the fixture. Inanother version of the embodiment, the syringe-receiving station iscoupled to the securing portion via a selectively removableconfiguration. In yet another version of the embodiment, thesyringe-receiving portion includes a lock that prevents lateral escapeof the syringe from the syringe-receiving station. This version alsoincludes where the lock is adapted to rotationally engage the tab of thebarrel of the syringe. In another version of the embodiment, thesyringe-receiving station includes upper and lower elements that arevertically spaced-apart from each other, where the upper and lowerelements each configured for selectively releasable coupling with thesyringe. The version may further include wherein the upper element isconfigured to inhibit lateral displacement of the syringe when coupledto the syringe, and the lower element is configured to inhibit bothlateral and longitudinal displacement of the syringe when coupled to thesyringe. The version may further include one of the upper or lowerelements configured to inhibit at least lateral displacement of thesyringe when coupled to the syringe, and the other of upper or lowerelements is configured to inhibit at least longitudinal displacement ofthe syringe when coupled to the syringe. The version may also includewherein the other of the upper and lower elements is further configuredto inhibit both longitudinal and lateral displacement of the syringewhen coupled to the syringe. Further still, the version may includewherein the upper element receives the barrel near the distal end, andthe lower element receives the tab.

In one version of the embodiment, the upper element includes asyringe-receiving recess that is vertically aligned with the lowerelement, which includes a syringe-receiving space. This version may alsoinclude wherein the syringe-receiving recess is configured to receivetherein the barrel near the distal end, and the syringe-receiving spaceis configured to receive the barrel near the proximal end. Further, thisversion may include wherein the syringe-receiving space is furtherconfigured to receive the tab. And, this version may include wherein thesyringe-receiving space defines a slot perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of the syringe-receiving station, the slot being configured toreceiving therein the tab. In this version, the syringe-receiving recessincludes a configuration that results in the barrel snapping into placewithin the syringe-receiving space.

Also disclosed herein is a method of employing the embodiment of themedical rack described above for transferring fluid from the non-sterileto the sterile environment. In one embodiment, the method includesloading the syringe with the fluid from the non-sterile environmentwhile the syringe is received by the syringe-receiving station such thatthe opening projects away from the fixture when the syringe is receivedby the syringe-receiving station and the securing portion is secured tothe surface of the fixture.

In one version of the embodiment, the non-sterile environment includes anon-sterile syringe containing the fluid, the non-sterile syringeconfigured to couple with the syringe via a butterfly tip in order totransfer the fluid. The version may also include coupling thenon-sterile syringe to the syringe via the butterfly tip prior toloading the syringe with the fluid. In still other versions of theembodiment, the method may include various features of the medical rackas described above with respect to the various embodiments.

Other embodiments are also described and recited herein. Further, whilemultiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresently disclosed technology will become apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description, which shows anddescribes illustrative embodiments of the presently disclosedtechnology. As will be realized, the presently disclosed technology iscapable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Accordingly,the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrativein nature and not limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric front view of an example medical rack holdingsyringes.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric front view of the medical rack not holding thesyringes.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the medical rack coupled with a fixture(broken line).

FIG. 4 shows an up-close isometric front view of a lock engaging with aradially extending tab of a syringe.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the medical rack holding a syringe.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up top plan view of the syringe in a tab engagingportion of the medical rack.

FIG. 7 shows a close-up top plan view of the receiving portion of themedical rack without the syringe.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional elevation view as taken along sectionline 8-8 in FIG. 6 of a tab engaging portion of the medical rack.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the medical rack of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric front view of an example medical rackincluding a top detachable portion and a bottom detachable portion in adetached arrangement.

FIG. 11 shows the top detachable portion and the bottom detachableportion of the medical rack of FIG. 10 in an attached arrangement.

FIGS. 12-14 show a front view of an example of a portion of anattachment mechanism securing the top detachable portion to the bottomdetachable portion of the medical rack.

FIGS. 15-16 show a front view of another example of a portion of anattachment mechanism securing the top detachable portion to the bottomdetachable portion of the medical rack.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of a knob fastener.

FIGS. 18-21 show example attachment mechanisms between the topdetachable portion and the bottom detachable portion of the medicalrack.

FIGS. 22-24 show isometric front views of example securing portions ofthe medical rack.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example method of a sterile transferof fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, apparatuses, andmethods for transferring a fluid from a non-sterile environment to asterile environment. Generally, a medical rack adapted to securely holdone or more syringes in a sterile environment is provided. The medicalrack frees medical personal to perform other activities, includingattending to a surgeon or other sterile personnel during procedures,thereby decreasing patient exposure time to any contaminants that may bepresent. Further, the medical rack provides for quick and easy transferof fluids while substantially decreasing the risk of contaminating thesterile environment or of parental stick. The medical rack may be madefrom a variety of robust materials that may be used in a sterileenvironment, including, without limitation, stainless steel, polymers,and a strong and durable grade plastic. In one embodiment, the rack ismade from a transparent material (e.g., acrylic). In another embodiment,the entire rack includes a single disposable or reusable unit. Inanother embodiment, the rack includes detachable components, some or allof which are disposable. The rack may be included in a sterile kit,loaded with various syringes. The rack may be sterilely stocked andpackaged upon receiving and then discarded or sterilized once finished.

The medical rack may be adapted to hold a variety of syringe types andsizes, as well as other devices adapted to extract or otherwise transferfluid. The angle of the rack can be modified and adapted to fit anyangle. In various aspects of the present disclosure, each of thesyringes is conventional in construction and operation. Thus, thesyringe includes a barrel that receives fluid to be administered. Abutterfly tip, hollow needle, or stopper may be secured to one end ofthe barrel by a hub and is coupled in fluid communication with theinterior of the barrel. The end of the barrel, remote from the needle,may be provided with a radially extending tab, which is typicallyengaged by the fingers of a medical user operating the syringe. Thesyringe further includes a plunger adapted for axial movement within thebarrel. The plunger extends to a piston which forms a fluid tight sealwith the interior surface of the barrel. The end of the plunger, remotefrom the piston, may be provided with a plate which is typically engagedby the thumb of an individual operating the syringe. However, it will beappreciated that the medical rack may be adapted to hold otherembodiments of a syringe, other medical equipment or tools, and/or otherdevices adapted to transfer fluid.

Referring to the embodiment in FIG. 1, the medical rack 100 includes asecuring portion 120, a receiving portion 160, and a tab engagingportion 140 between the securing portion 120 and the receiving portion160. The receiving portion 160, in combination with the tab engagingportion 140, is configured to receive one or more syringes 110 in mannerthat allows the syringes 110 to be supported on the rack 100. Thesecuring portion 120 includes one or more securing members 122 adaptedto engage a fixture 124, such as a medical table or tray, therebyfacilitating the rack 100 being fixed to and supported off of thefixture 124. A clamp 126 or similar securing mechanism secures thesecuring portion 120 to the fixture 124.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the rack 100 includes two upper securingmembers 122 that support the rack 100 on a top side of the fixture 124and a single lower securing member 122 that supports the rack 100 on abottom side of the fixture 124. The two upper securing members 122 andthe single lower securing member 122 are planar, plate-like members withopposing top and bottom planar surfaces. The two upper securing members122 are on outer ends of the rack 100, whereas the single lower securingmember 122 is between the two upper securing surfaces 122. The singlelower securing member 122 includes an extended section 123 that extendsthe single lower securing member 122 from a junction with the two uppersecuring members 122 downward and beneath a portion of the fixture 124,as can be understood from FIG. 3.

Referring to the single lower securing member 122, as seen in FIG. 1,the clamp 126 includes a swivel head 129 on an adjusting screw 127 thatcommunicates through the single lower member 122 on the bottom portionof the securing portion 120. The adjusting screw 127 can be adjusted tosecure the swivel head 129 against a bottom surface of the fixture 124,as illustrated in FIG. 3. While a clamp 126 with a swivel head 129 andan adjusting screw 127 are described in reference to the embodiment inFIG. 1, various other securing mechanisms are possible and within thescope of the present disclosure. For example, a quick-release bar clampcan be utilized in place of the clamp 126 illustrated in the embodimentof FIG. 1.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1-3, the medical rack 100 is adapted toreleasably support the positioning of a variety of syringes 110 in anorientation that angles an opening 114 in the barrel 112 of the syringe110 outward and away from the fixture 124. In particular, as seen inFIGS. 2-3, the securing portion 120 further includes a positioningsection 128 extending from the one or more securing members 122. Thepositioning section 128 is an elongated, planar, and plate-like memberthat extends upward and away from securing members 122 and the fixture124 a sufficient distance to allow for the plunger shaft 113 of thesyringe 110 to be extended outward from the barrel 112 withoutinterference by the fixture 124. The positioning section 128 extendsfrom the one or more securing members 122 at an angle A, which caninclude multiple angles, as will be discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments, the tab engaging portion 140of the rack 100 may be formed via a sandwiched configuration made up ofan upper element 130 of the securing portion 120, an intermediateportion (e.g., the below discussed tab-engaging member 142), and a lowerelement 162 of the receiving portion 160. In other embodiments, thesandwiched configuration of the tab engaging portion 140 of the rack 100may be made up of different combinations of the securing portion 120,the receiving portion 160, and/or other portions that are separateelements from the either or both of the portions 120, 140. Further,while the tab engaging portion 140 of the rack 100 is configured via thecombination of the below-discussed sandwiched recesses 132, 144, 164 andresulting syringe-receiving spaces 146 and tab-receiving channels 148that receive syringe barrels 112 and tabs 111 in a manner that preventsthe syringes 110 from laterally and longitudinally displacing whenreceived in said spaces 146 and channels 148, the rack 100 andassociated methods disclosed herein also encompass any means or methodsof engaging and supporting syringes 110 on the rack 100 in theorientation and manner disclosed herein that facilitates the fluidfilling methods disclosed herein.

Referring to a top portion of the securing portion 120, and referring toFIGS. 1-2, a lower engaging member 130 of the tab engaging portion 140extends outward from the positioning section 128 in the same generaldirection as the one or more securing members 122. In addition to beingthe lower engaging member 130 of the tab engaging portion 140 thatinteracts with the syringes 110, the member 130 is also a planar,plate-like member that is a part of the securing portion 120 of the rack100. In this and other embodiments, the securing members 122, thepositioning section 128, and the lower engaging member 130 of thesecuring portion 120 may be generally planar members having generallysmooth planar surfaces and may be unitarily formed from a single pieceof material.

Turning now to various angular relations between respective portions ofthe rack 100, as can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 3, one of thesecuring members 122 extends at an angle A relative to the positioningsection 128. And, an angle B is defined between a lower planar surfaceof the lower engaging member 130 and a front planar surface of thepositioning section 128 such that the opening 114 in the barrel 112 ofany syringe 110 secured in the receiving portion 160 is easilyaccessible for the coupling of a non-sterile syringe with the syringe110 via a butterfly tip 116 or other coupling mechanism (e.g., needle)to transfer fluid. As seen in FIGS. 1-2, the butterfly tip 116 is ahollow, tubular coupling mechanism with dual-sided female ports 115 onopposing ends of the butterfly tip 116 that frictionally engage withrespective distal, male, ends of a sterile syringe 110 in a rack 100 anda non-sterile syringe, which is held by a medical professional. Bytransferring fluid through the butterfly tip 116 as opposed to a needle,the risk of parental stick is eliminated.

Referring now to an additional element of the sandwich configuredtab-engaging portion 140, namely, the tab engaging member 142, as seenin FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9, the tab engaging member 142 is a generallyplanar member 142 that is positioned on top of an upper planar surfaceof the lower engaging member 130 of the tab engaging portion 140. Thetab engaging member 142 includes upper and lower planar surfaces andfurther includes a generally rectangular perimeter with one or morerecesses 144 defined in a front outer edge of the perimeter of the tabengaging member 142, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9. Each of the recesses144 is shaped and sized to mirror the shape and size of the radiallyextending tab 111 of the barrel 112 of a syringe 110, as can beunderstood from FIGS. 4, 6 and 9. In particular, the recesses 144 arecut outs, indentations, or notches to an otherwise straight edge of thetab engaging member 142.

As indicated in FIGS. 1, 3-5, 8 and 9, the tab engaging member 142 isdisposed between the upper planar surface of the lower engaging member130 of the tab engaging portion 140 (the tab engaging portion 140 alsobeing part of the securing portion 120) and a lower planar surface of anupper engaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140 (the upperengaging member also being part of the receiving portion 160). In thepresent embodiment, the tab engaging member 142 is securely sandwichedbetween the lower engaging member 130 and the upper engaging member 162such that the lower and upper planar surfaces of the tab engaging member142 respectively make surface abutting contact with the upper planarsurface of the lower engaging member 130 and the lower planar surface ofthe upper engaging member 162.

In conjunction with the one or more tab-shaped recesses 144 in the tabengaging member 142, both of the lower engaging member 130 and the upperengaging member 162 include one or more recesses 132, 164 defined ineach respective outer perimeter edge. As illustrated in FIG. 9, therecesses 132, 164 may be U-shaped. In one embodiment, each of therecesses 132 in the lower engaging member 130 of the tab engagingportion 140 and each of the recesses 164 in the upper engaging member162 of tab engaging portion 140 are positioned relative to one of thetab-receiving recesses 144 in the tab engaging member 142 of the tabengaging portion 140 so that all of the recesses are aligned to form asyringe-receiving space 146, as can be understood from FIGS. 2, 4-6, 8and 9. Thus, the alignment of the recesses 132, 144, 162 of thesyringe-receiving space 146 of the tab engaging portion 140 are suchthat, when a syringe 110 is received in the syringe-receiving space 146,the tab 111 of the syringe 110 is matingly received in the tab-receivingrecess 144 while the barrel 112 of the syringe 110 is matingly receivedby the upper or barrel-receiving recess 164 and the plunger shaft 113 ofthe syringe 110 extends through the lower receiving recess 132 as can beunderstood from FIGS. 1, 2, 4-6, and 9.

Thus, the aligned recesses 164, 144, 132 form a receiving space 146 inthe tab engaging portion 140 of the rack 100 for engaging with a portionof a syringe 110 that is to be mounted to the rack 100. As seen in FIGS.2, 6, 8 and 9, the receiving space 146 in the tab engaging portion 140of the rack 100 is formed by the collective sandwiching or stacking ofthe lower engaging member 130, the tab engaging member 142, and theupper engaging member 162 such that the respective perimeter edges ofthe members 130, 142, 162 and the recess 132, 144, 164 associated witheach line up.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 9, the tab-receiving recess 144 ofthe tab engaging member 142 of the tab engaging portion 140 of the rack100 extends further than or deeper into its member 142 than each of therespective recesses 132, 164 of the lower engaging member 130 of the tabengaging portion 140 of the rack 100 and the upper engaging member 162of the tab engaging portion 140 of the rack 100, thereby forming atab-receiving channel 148 in the plane of the tab-receiving member 142that is between the upper planar surface of the lower engaging member130 and the lower planar surface of the upper engaging member 162, thischannel 148 having lateral boundaries defined by the edges of thetab-receiving recess 144 and lower and upper boundaries respectivelydefined by the upper planar surface of the lower engaging member 130 andthe lower planar surface of the upper engaging member 162. Being soconfigured, the tab-receiving channel 148 of the tab engaging portion140 of the rack 100 is adapted to matingly receive and secure theradially extending tab 111 of the barrel 112 of a syringe 110 such that,when the syringe 110 is mounted to the rack 100 and the tab 111 ismatingly received in the tab-receiving channel 148, as can be understoodfrom FIGS. 1, 4-6, 8, and 9, the channel 148 prevents the syringe 110from moving laterally and longitudinally.

Moving now to the top most portion of the rack 100 and as seen in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the receiving portion 160 includes a generallyC-shaped body that extends a width of the rack 100 and includes theupper engaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140 of the rack100, a syringe barrel engaging member 172, and an adjoining member 173that perpendicularly extends between the syringe barrel engaging member172 and the upper engaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140 ofthe rack 100. As with other parts of the medical rack 100, each of thesyringe barrel engaging member 172, upper engaging member 162 of the tabengaging portion 140, and adjoining member 173 may include planar,plate-like surfaces that are either unitarily formed together to formthe unitary construction of the receiving portion 160 or coupledtogether to form a multi-piece receiving portion 160.

As seen in FIG. 1-3, the syringe barrel engaging member 172 and upperengaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140 are generallyparallel and each extends generally the same distance outward from theadjoining member 173. Each of the syringe barrel engaging member 172 andupper engaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140 includes afront perimeter edge extending the width of the rack 100. And, asdescribed previously, the upper engaging member 162 of the tab engagingportion 140 includes one or more recesses 164 defined in the frontperimeter edge of the upper engaging member 162. Similarly, the syringebarrel engaging member 172 includes one or more recesses 170 defined inthe front perimeter edge of the syringe barrel engaging member 172. Eachof the recesses 170 in the syringe barrel engaging member 172 arepositioned so to be aligned with the one or more recesses 164 in theupper engaging member 162 of the tab engaging portion 140. As a result,each upper syringe-receiving recess 170 of the syringe barrel engagingmember 172 is aligned with a respective lower syringe-receiving space146 of the tab engaging portion 140, as can be understood from FIG. 1.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 5, in one embodiment, the uppersyringe-receiving recess 170 receives the syringe barrel 112 near thedistal end of the syringe 110, and the lower syringe-receiving space 146receives the syringe barrel 112 and syringe tab(s) 111 near the proximalregion of the syringe 110. In other embodiments, the rack 100 may beconfigured to engage one or more syringes 110 via other structural andcontact arrangements so long as the syringes 110 are oriented in amanner that facilitates the liquid transfers as disclosed herein. Thus,as shown in FIG. 2, each upper syringe-receiving recess 170 is pairedwith lower, aligned syringe-receiving space 146 to form a paired,vertically aligned, recessed configuration 166 that ends up being asyringe-receiving station 166 in which a single syringe 110 can bemounted on the rack 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

Turning again to the upper syringe-receiving recess 170 of the syringebarrel engaging member 172, as shown in FIG. 7, the uppersyringe-receiving recess 170 defines a first width M that separates apair of second widths N. In particular, the upper syringe-receivingrecess 170 includes a pair of opposed tabs 171 that extend into therecess 170 from a side edge of the recess 170. The tabs 171 can eitherflex or will cause a syringe barrel 112 to flex when the syringe 110 ismounted to the syringe barrel engaging member 172. Thus, the barrel 112of the syringe 110 will “snap” into place within the uppersyringe-receiving recess 170 of the syringe barrel engaging member 172and be held in place by the tabs 171 on either side of the barrel 112.The first width M and the second width N may be sized according to asize of the barrel 112 of a syringe 110. Each of the syringe-receivingstations 166 are shaped and sized to mirror the shape and size of thevarious sized syringes 110 (e.g., 5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL) received therein.More specifically, each recess 130, 142, 164, 170 forming a respectivesyringe-receiving station 166 is shaped and sized to mirror the shapeand size of the various respective syringe elements received therein.When the syringes 110 are installed in the medical rack 100, thesyringe-receiving stations 166 position the one or more syringes 110such that an opening 114 in the barrel 112 of the syringe 110 isdirected generally away from the securing portion 120 and such that theopening 114 is easily accessible for the insertion of the distal end ofa non-sterile syringe into the butterfly tip 116 to transfer fluid.

Turning again to the sandwiched arrangement of the tab engaging portion140, as seen in FIGS. 8-9, the upper engaging member 162 of the tabengaging portion 140 defines a thickness I and the recess 164 defines awidth L. The tab engaging member 142 of the tab engaging portion 140defines a thickness k and the recess 144 defines a width J and a depthR. The lower engaging member 130 of the tab engaging portion 140 definesa thickness O and the recess 132 defines a width P. The various widthsand depth depend on a particular syringe 110 that fits the particularsyringe-receiving stations 166. In particular, the syringe-receivingstations 166 may be sized to fit syringes 110 of different sizes (e.g.,5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL). Each respective size of syringe 110 can includestandard sizes of tabs 111, barrel 112, etc. that can be considered insizing the various components of the medical rack 100.

To further secure the syringes 100 within the syringe-receiving stations166, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the medical rack 100 includes one or morelocks 102, each posited relative (e.g., generally perpendicular) to alower syringe-receiving space 146 of the tab engaging portion 140. Thelocks 102 may rotate to engage the radially extending tab 111 of thebarrel 112 of a syringe 110. The locks 102 can be modified and adaptedin a variety of manners, including, but not limited to, slide latch,ratchet latch, lanyard pin, rubber grommet, friction fit, snap fit, etc.

The rack 100 may additionally include one or more features to furthersecure the syringes 110 from moving longitudinally or laterally. Incertain embodiments, to further secure each of the syringes 110 frommoving longitudinally or laterally, a lock (not shown) may slidehorizontally to engage the extending tab of the barrel of a syringe. Inanother embodiment, a locking pin (not shown) attached to a lanyard mayengage with a hole on the opposite side of the syringe finger tab tosecurely lock the syringe in place. In other embodiments, a securing capmay be horizontally rotated. A finger tab (male end) may be insertedinto a receiving portion (female end) of the securing cap, encompassingthe end of the finger tabs and then attached to the opposite side of thesyringe. The attachment may be adapted or modified to fit a variety ofmethods, including but not limited to, snaps, ratchet, hitch pin,friction fit, etc. In still another embodiment, rubber grommets may beused to secure the finger tabs that have been inserted into the femalereceiving portion of the medical rack.

The rack 100 may additionally include one or more various fasteners forthe syringes 110. In certain embodiments, rubber grommets/rubber clampscan be used for the tab engaging portion that extends further than eachof the respective recesses of the members 130, 162 of the of the tabengaging portion 140, thereby forming a channel 148 adapted to receiveand secure the radially extending tab 111 of the barrel 112 of a syringe110. The channel 148 prevents the syringe from moving laterally andlongitudinally. In other embodiments, a retaining clip has a receivingportion where the body of the syringe is securely held reducing oreliminating any movement laterally and longitudinally. In still otherembodiments, broom spring clips/holders/clamps have a receiving portionthat when the body of the syringe meets the fasteners,clamp/holder/spring clips, the fastener compresses to allow the body ofthe syringe in and then springs back and securely holds the syringe inplace reducing or eliminating any movement laterally and longitudinally.In certain embodiments, the recess of the ball bearing engaging portionextends further than each of the respective recesses of the engagingmembers 130, 142, 164 of the tab engaging portion 140 and the member 172of the receiving portion 160, thereby forming a channel 148 adapted toreceive and secure the radially extending tab 111 of the barrel 112 of asyringe 110. The channel prevents the syringe from moving laterally andlongitudinally.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3, the rack 100 may includesample dimensions as follows. A height H of the positioning section 128is about 5 inches and a width W of the rack 100 is about 12 inches. Eachof the one or more members 122 extends outward X from the positioningsection 128, X being about 3 inches, and extends across the rack 100 Y,which is about 4 inches. The receiving portion 160 has a height Z ofabout 1.75 inches, and each of the members 130, 142, 162, 172 extends Qabout 2.25 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, sample dimensions of the recess 170 are asfollows: N is about 0.9 inches for a 20 mL syringe, 0.66 inches for a 10mL syringe, or 0.58 inches for a 5 mL syringe; and M is about 0.84inches for a 20 mL syringe, 0.62 inches for a 10 mL syringe, and 0.52inches for a 5 mL syringe. Referring to FIG. 8, sample dimensions of thethickness of the members 130, 142, 160 are as follows: the thickness Iof the member 162 is about 0.64 inches for a 10 mL syringe, about 0.84inches for a 20 mL syringe, and about 0.53 inches for a 5 mL syringe;the thickness K of the member 142 is about 0.08 inches for a 10 mLsyringe, about 0.1 inches for a 20 mL syringe, and about 0.08 inches fora 5 mL syringe; the thickness O of the member 130 is about 0.60 inchesfor a 10 mL syringe, about 0.76 inches for a 20 mL syringe, and about0.49 inches for a 5 mL syringe. The width L of the recess 164 is about0.64 inches for a 10 mL syringe, about 0.84 inches for a 20 mL syringe,and about 0.62 inches for a 5 mL syringe; the width J of the recess 142is about 0.74 inches for a 10 mL syringe, about 0.99 inches for a 20 mLsyringe, and about 0.62 inches for a 5 mL syringe; the width P of therecess 130 is about 0.6 inches for a 10 mL syringe, about 0.76 inchesfor a 20 mL syringe, and about 0.49 inches for a 5 mL syringe. Finally,the depth R of the recess 144 is about 1.25 inches for a 20 mL syringe,about 0.92 inches for a 10 mL syringe, and about 0.85 inches for a 5 mLsyringe. These dimensions are intended to be exemplary and may includeother dimensions.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-3, the rack 100 may includesample angles as follows. The angle A between the positioning section128 and the one or more securing members 122 is about 90 degrees. Theangle B between the positioning section 128 and the engaging member 130is about 120 degrees. An angle C between the engaging member 162 and theadjoining section 173 is about 90 degrees. Similarly, an angle D betweenthe adjoining section 173 and the member 172 is about 90 degrees. And,an angle E between the single lower securing member 122 of the one ormore upper securing members 122 and a section 123 that extends betweenthe two upper securing members 122 and the one lower securing member 122is about 90 degrees. These dimensions are intended to be exemplary andmay include other dimensions.

Variations of the medical rack 100 can further include variations to theangles between the various components of the rack 100. For example, thepositioning section 128 can extend upwards from the one or more uppersecuring members 122 in various angles. For example, while FIG. 3 showsthe positioning section 128 extending an angle A of about 90 degreesfrom the one or more upper securing members 122, the positioning section128 can extend from the one or more upper securing members 122 at anglesA such as 120 degrees, 135 degrees, 150 degrees, or 180 degrees, amongothers.

Other variations to the medical rack 100 may include different angles Bbetween the positioning section 128 and the lower engaging member 130and, thus, the other members 142, 162 of the tab engaging portion 140.For example, while the embodiment of FIG. 3 shows an angle B of about120 degrees between the positioning section 128 and the engaging member130, the angle can be about 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 150 degrees, or 180degrees, among others.

Turning now to an alternative embodiment of the medical rack 100, asshown in FIG. 10, the rack 100 is detachable between the engaging member130 of the tab engaging portion 140 and the one or more upper securingmembers 122 of the securing portion 120. Thus, a top detachable portion180 includes the receiving portion 160, the tab engaging portion 140,the engaging surface 130, and a top region of the positioning section128. And, a bottom detachable portion 182 includes a bottom region ofthe positioning section 128 and the securing portion 120 of the rack100. The rack 100 is detachable between the top detachable portion 180and the bottom detachable portion 182 via an attachment mechanism 196,which will be described in detail below. The top detachable portion 180of the rack 100 can be detached from the bottom portion 182 of the rack100 so that the rack 100 can be properly sterilized and pre-stocked withthe corresponding syringes 110.

The bottom detachable portion 182 of the rack 100 can be secured to thefixture 124, as previously described with respect to FIG. 3, by thesecuring portion 120. Or, the bottom detachable portion 182 can besecured to the fixture by one of a variety of securing methods describedherein. It is to be understood that the various features for securingthe detachable rack 100 can be modified and combined in differentmethods (e.g., spring loaded, manual latch, amount force needed toattach the detachable rack).

Turning to the attaching and detaching of the respective portions 180,182 of the rack 100, as seen in FIGS. 10-11, the attachment mechanism196 includes a female receiving portion 184 on the top portion of thepositioning section 128 and a male engaging portion 186 on the bottomportion 182 of the positioning section 128. As seen in FIG. 11, thefemale receiving portion 184 receives the male engaging portion 186within a sleeve 188 formed within the female receiving portion 184.Referring to FIGS. 12-14, the female receiving portion 184 includes apair of spring-loaded tabs 190 on opposite ends of the rack 100 that arebiased such that an angular portion 192 of the tabs 190 project into thesleeve 188 when an opposing force is not applied to the tabs 190. Theangular portion 192 of the tabs 190 are angled upward and toward acentral point of the rack such that when the female receiving portion184 receives the male engaging portion 186 within the sleeve 188, thetabs 190 are depressed within a tab cavity 194 by the relative upwardmovement of a top edge 194 of the male engaging surface 186. As the maleengaging surface 186 is advanced within the sleeve 188, the tabs 190spring or lock into place within a cutout formed within the bottomportion of the positioning section 128. Once locked, the tabs 190 areonce again positioned with the angular portion 192 of the tabs 190projecting into the sleeve 188 and into the tab cavity 194 of the bottomportion of the positioning section 128. To disengage the top detachableportion 180 from the bottom detachable portion 182, the tabs 190 may bedepressed outward or laterally such that the angular portion 192 of thetabs 190 do not project within the sleeve 188, and the top detachableportion 182 may be lifted vertically until the male engaging portion 186no longer occupies the sleeve 188 of the female receiving portion 184.While the female receiving portion 184 is described as being positionedon the top detachable portion 180 and the male engaging portion 186 isdescribed as being positioned on the bottom detachable portion 182, therack 100 can similarly function in an opposite arrangement of the maleengaging portion 186 and the female receiving portion 184.

Now referring to other mechanisms to secure the top detachable portion180 to the bottom detachable portion 182, as seen in FIGS. 15-17, theattachment mechanism 196 includes a pair of knob fasteners 198, such as¼ turn knob fasteners, on opposing sides of the rack 100. A knob 200 orsimilar securing mechanism secures the top detachable rack portion 180to the bottom detachable rack portion 182. As described previously, thetop detachable portion 180 may include a female receiving portion 184forming a sleeve 188 to receive a male engaging portion 186 of thebottom detachable portion 182. The sleeve 188 may stabilize therespective portions 180, 182 of the rack 100 and the knob fastener 198may secure the portions 180, 182 together. As seen in FIGS. 15-17, theknob 200 is pivotally mounted to the bottom detachable portion 182 andcan be manually swung outward and up until it friction-fits within acircular cut out 206 in the top detachable portion 180. To tighten, theknob can be turned ¼ of a turn to fasten and secure the knob 200 withinthe circular cut out 206. In this embodiment, the bottom detachableportion 180 includes recessed cut outs 202 and the top detachableportion includes corresponding protrusions 204 to fit within the cutouts 202. When the protrusions 204 fit within the cut outs 202, the knob200 can be manually swung up and into the circular cut outs 206 of thetop detachable portion 180 of the rack 100.

Further mechanisms to secure the top detachable portion 180 to thebottom detachable portion 182, as seen in FIGS. 18-19, can include amedical rack 100 with a male engaging portion 186 and a female receivingportion 184 that define interlocking joints 214 that dovetail together.In particular, the male engaging portion 186 includes an upside downT-shaped projection 216 on the one or more upper securing members 122that slideingly engages with a corresponding T-shaped cut out 218 on thefemale receiving portion 184. The interlocking joints 214 are configuredsuch that the male engaging portion 186 may slideingly engage with thefemale engaging portion 184 such that once latched, the rack 100 will bestable and secure. While the embodiment of FIGS. 18-19 depicts theinterlocking joints 214 in a horizontal arrangement relative to thepositioning surface 128, the interlocking joints 214 can also bepositioned vertically in place of the positioning section 128 or on aportion of the positioning section 128. In either a horizontal orvertical arrangement of the interlocking joints 214, a locking mechanismmay be utilized in conjunction with the joints 214 that is similar to asdescribed in other parts of the disclosure.

Another mechanism to secure the detachable rack 100 may include a maleengaging portion 186 that includes tabs 220 that friction-fit within acavity 222 formed within a female receiving portion 184, as seen inFIGS. 20-21. The male engaging portion includes two tabs 220 on an upperedge of the positioning section 128 on the bottom detachable portion ofthe rack 100. The tab cavities 222 are formed within the positioningsection 128, which, in this particular embodiment is thicker than otherembodiments. The rack 100 may additionally include a securing or lockingmechanism (not shown) so secure the rack 100 together when the tabs 220are frictionally engaged with the tab cavity 222. For example, an innerportion of the tab cavity 222 may include a ferrous metal and the tab220 may include a magnet, or vice versa. As another example, aspring-loaded tab 190 may be added to the embodiment of FIGS. 20-21 inorder to further secure the top detachable portion 180 to the bottomdetachable portion 182.

Other attachment mechanisms 196 are possible to secure the topdetachable portion 180 of the rack 100 to the bottom detachable portion182. For example, the detachable rack 100 may include a bottomdetachable portion 182 that includes a laterally extending positioningsection 128, similar to that as described with reference to FIG. 10. Thepositioning section 128 of the presently described embodiment, however,differs from the embodiment in FIG. 10 in that it includes a T-shapedmember (not shown) having an upper bar extending orthogonal to a bottom,vertical bar that is centrally positioned and extending upward from thepositioning section 128. The T-shaped member may engage with and bereceived within a sleeve 188 of the female receiving portion 184 of thetop portion 180 of the rack 100. The female receiving portion 184 mayinclude spring-loaded clasps (not shown) that are biased inward. Thespring-loaded clasps may include angled tips that can receive and firmlysecure around the upper bar of the T-shaped member, thus, securing thetop portion 180 to the bottom portion 182. As the T-shaped member slidesinto the sleeve 188 of the female receiving portion 184, the upper barpushes the clasp horizontally until the upper bar passes the angled tipsof the clasp. At this point, once the base is fully inserted into thesleeve, the clasp will snap in place on both sides of the T-shapedmember. The female receiving portion may further include an elongatedpush rod that is positioned between the clasps such that is willcompress when the T-shaped member engages between the clasps. Theelongated push rod may be spring-biased such that it pushes against thetop bar of the T-shaped member. To disengage the clasps from theT-shaped member, a thumb tab on the outside of the disposable rack 100will slide upward, away from the base, releasing the clasps from theT-shaped member and releasing the elongated rod to separate thedetachable rack form the base for easy removal.

In certain embodiments, the medical rack 100 may include an attachmentmechanism 196 that includes a pin that is inserted into a receivingportion, such as a hole, that goes through both the male engagingportion 186 and the female receiving portion 184, a tab that is attachedto the disposable top and the base and a has a hole that matches up fora pin to be inserted through it, or the like, and will securely fastenthe device together. The pins/clips can be adapted and modified to fitany specific design. This includes but is not limited to hitchpins/clips, lynch pins, quick release pins, grooved pin/clip, springpin, taper pin, cotter pin, etc.

In addition to the attachment mechanisms 196 described herein, theattachment mechanisms 196 may be adapted and modified to fit anyspecific medical rack design. For example, where latches, clasps, andspring loaded tabs are described, the mechanisms may also oralternatively include other mechanisms such as an actus rubber latch,T-latch, over center draw latch, swing latch, rotomold replacementlatch, spring latch, twist latch, under center draw latch, bolt,compression latch, spring latch, thermoplastic latch, draw latch, latchpush/pull toggle clamp, etc.

The detachable rack 100 may include alternative securing members 122 onthe securing portion 120 of the rack. As seen in FIGS. 22-24, the one ormore surfaces are configured to fit any number of fixtures 124. FIG. 22,for example, includes two members 122 that are planar and generallyperpendicular to the positioning section 128. The members 122 of thisembodiment may secure the rack 100 to surfaces that include flatsurfaces, such as a table with flat or square edges. FIG. 23, forexample, includes two members 122, where each defines a stair steppattern with two horizontal sections 208 and a vertical section 210between the horizontal sections 208. These surfaces 122 are configuredto fit, for example, an operating room table with a stair step patternalong the edge of the fixture 124. FIG. 24, for example, includes twomembers 122, where each defines an angled stair step pattern with twohorizontal sections 208 and a vertically descending section 212 betweenthe horizontal sections 208. These surfaces 122 are configured to fit,for example, a “MAYO” table with an angled stair step patter along theedge of the fixture 124.

Referring to FIG. 25, a method 300 of sterile transfer of the fluid caninclude the following steps. Securing a medical rack to a fixture(operation 100). Positioning sterile syringes 100 in respectivesyringe-receiving stations 166 of the medical rack 100 that correspondwith an appropriate syringe size (operation 200). Positioning may entailsnapping the barrel 112 of the syringe 110 into a syringe-receivingstation 166 such that an upper syringe-receiving recess 170 receives thesyringe barrel 112 near the distal end of the syringe 110, and acorresponding lower syringe-receiving space 146 receives the syringebarrel 112 and syringe tab(s) 111 near the proximal region of thesyringe 110. The positioning step may also entail orienting the opening114 in the barrel 112 of the syringe 110 away from the fixture 124 at anangle that facilitates convenient loading of the syringes 110 with fluidby a medical professional that is adjacent the fixture 124. Thepositioning step may additionally entail coupling the distal ends of thesyringes 110 with butterfly tips 116. The butterfly tips 116, however,may be coupled to the syringes 110 prior to positioning the syringes 110on the rack 100.

Moving on, the method 300 of sterile transfer of fluid further includeslocking the sterile syringes in place within the appropriate stations166 (operation 300). This step may entail rotationally engaging a lockto securely support the tab 111 of a syringe 110. Next, the method mayinvolve transferring or loading fluid from a non-sterile environmentinto the barrel of the sterile syringes (operation 400). Transferringthe fluid may entail loading a non-sterile syringe with fluid from avial or other container and removing a needle at the distal end of thenon-sterile syringe. The needleless distal end of the non-sterilesyringe is then frictionally engaged with the unoccupied port 115 on thebutterfly tip 116, and the fluid is transferred from the non-sterilesyringe, through the butterfly tip 116, and into the sterile syringe110. At this point, the non-sterile syringe and the butterfly tip 116can be de-coupled with the sterile syringe 110. Transferring the fluidmay alternatively entail threading a needle from a non-sterile syringeinto an opening of the sterile syringe and dispensing the fluid from thenon-sterile syringe into the barrel of the sterile syringe.Alternatively, transferring the fluid may entail threading a needle froma sterile syringe into an opening of a non-sterile syringe, vial, orcontainer and dispensing the fluid from the non-sterile syringe, vial,or container into the barrel of the sterile syringe.

The method 300 may additionally entail unlocking the loaded or filledsterile syringes (operation 500) and using the sterile syringe in amedical procedure (operation 600). If the medical rack is detachable, anadditional step may entail transferring a top portion of the detachablerack to a bottom portion of the rack (operation 700). This step mayoccur before or after fluid is dispensed into the sterile syringes. Forexample, the fluid may be transferred into the sterile syringes whilethe top portion of the detachable rack is coupled with a first bottomportion of a rack, and the top portion of the detachable rack may betransferred to a second bottom portion of a rack where the sterilesyringes will be used in a medical procedure. As another example, theunfilled sterile syringes may be secured in a top portion of a rack thatis docked to a first bottom portion of a rack. The loaded and unfilledsyringes may then be transferred to a second bottom portion of a rackwhere fluid will be dispensed into the unfilled sterile syringes andused in the medical procedure.

It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosedsubject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages.The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of thefollowing claims to encompass and include such changes.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments areillustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited tothem. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements arepossible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the presentdisclosure have been described in the context of particular embodiments.Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently invarious embodiments of the disclosure or described with differentterminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined inthe claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical rack for transferring fluid from anon-sterile environment to a sterile environment using a syringe, thesyringe having a plunger at a first end and an opening in a barrel at asecond end, the medical rack comprising: a receiving portion including asyringe barrel engaging member; a tab engaging portion extendingparallel to the syringe barrel engaging member, the tab engaging portionbeing formed via a sandwiched configuration of an upper element of asecuring portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower element of thereceiving portion, a slot being defined in the intermediate portion; afirst recess defined in the syringe barrel engaging member; a secondrecess defined in the tab engaging portion; and at least onesyringe-receiving station formed from the first recess and the secondrecess being longitudinally aligned along an axis, the at least onesyringe-receiving station configured to receive the syringe in aselectively releasable coupling arrangement, the selectively releasablecoupling arrangement including the slot receiving a tab of the syringe,the syringe being oriented longitudinally along the axis with thesyringe being disposed in the first recess and the second recess, theplunger at the first end of the syringe being disposed distal to the tabengaging portion, and the opening in the barrel at the second end of thesyringe being disposed proximal to the syringe barrel engaging member,the at least one syringe-receiving station orienting the opening of thesyringe for transfer of the fluid from the non-sterile environment tothe sterile environment.
 2. The medical rack of claim 1, wherein theselectively releasable coupling arrangement includes the first recessreceiving the barrel of the syringe and the second recess receiving atab of the syringe.
 3. The medical rack of claim 1, wherein theselectively releasable coupling arrangement includes the tab engagingportion inhibiting a lateral displacement of the syringe.
 4. The medicalrack of claim 1, wherein the selectively releasable coupling arrangementincludes the tab engaging portion inhibiting a longitudinal displacementof the syringe.
 5. The medical rack of claim 1, wherein the selectivelyreleasable coupling arrangement orients the syringe, such that theplunger is extendable along the axis without being inhibited by themedical rack.
 6. The medical rack of claim 1, wherein the at least onesyringe-receiving station is one of a plurality of syringe-receivingstations each configured to receive a respective syringe.
 7. The medicalrack of claim 1, wherein the axis is oriented at an angle relative to atleast one securing member of a securing portion.
 8. The medical rack ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one syringe-receiving station includes alock that prevents lateral escape of the syringe from thesyringe-receiving station.
 9. The medical rack of claim 1, wherein theselectively releasable coupling arrangement includes at least one of asnap-fit arrangement or a flex-fit arrangement.
 10. The medical rack ofclaim 1, wherein the selectively releasable coupling arrangementincludes a tab of the syringe disposed in the second recess.
 11. Themedical rack of claim 1, wherein the sterile environment is associatedwith the syringe, the syringe configured to receive the fluid from thenon-sterile environment.
 12. The medical rack of claim 11, wherein thesyringe receives the fluid from the non-sterile environment using abutterfly tip.
 13. The medical rack of claim 12, wherein the butterflytip includes a first port opposing a second port, the first portconfigured to engage the second end of the syringe.
 14. The medical rackof claim 13, wherein the first port engages the second end of thesyringe in a frictional engagement.
 15. The medical rack of claim 1,wherein the slot extends perpendicular to the axis.
 16. The medical rackof claim 1, wherein the at least one syringe-receiving station iscoupled to the securing portion via a selectively removableconfiguration.
 17. The medical rack of claim 16, wherein the selectivelyremovable configuration includes a top detachable portion releasablyengaged to a bottom portion, the top detachable portion including the atleast one syringe-receiving station and the bottom portion including thesecuring portion.
 18. The medical rack of claim 16, wherein the securingportion includes at least one securing member configured to releasablyengage a surface of a fixture.